Summary
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is a Newbery Medal-winning children's novel offering a unique perspective on friendship, art, and freedom. Inspired by true events, it tells the story of a captive gorilla named Ivan through his own eyes. Released in 2012, the book captivated readers of all ages with its blend of humor and heart, quickly becoming a modern classic.
In 2020, Disney released a film adaptation of The One and Only Ivan, bringing Ivan's story to an even wider audience. The movie, featuring the voices of Sam Rockwell as Ivan and Angelina Jolie as Stella, introduced a new generation to the beloved characters and their poignant journey.
Plot
Ivan, a silverback gorilla, has spent 27 years living in a cage at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He's grown accustomed to his life there, rarely thinking about his past in the jungle. Ivan's days are filled with watching TV, spending time with his friends Stella the elephant and Bob the stray dog, and creating artwork that the mall owner sells.
The arrival of Ruby, a baby elephant, changes everything for Ivan. Stella, who suffers from a chronic injury, asks Ivan to promise he'll find a better home for Ruby before she passes away. This request forces Ivan to see his surroundings through new eyes, realizing that what he once considered his “domain” is actually a cage.
Inspired by his promise to Stella and his growing awareness of their situation, Ivan hatches a plan to help Ruby. Using finger paints provided by Julia, the daughter of the mall's custodian, Ivan creates a large picture spelling out the word “home.” When this artwork is displayed on the mall's billboard, it sparks public outrage and protests against the animals' living conditions.
As a result of the ensuing investigation, the Big Top Mall is closed down. Ivan, Ruby, and the other animals are relocated to a zoo. After a period of adjustment, Ivan begins to live with a new gorilla family, while Ruby adapts to her new habitat. The story concludes with Ivan discovering that Bob has been adopted by Julia's family, and that he and Ruby now reside in the same zoo, embracing their new lives among other animals.
Themes
Power of art and self-expression
Importance of freedom and natural habitats
Bonds of friendship and loyalty
Animal welfare and ethics of captivity
Personal growth and embracing change
Perseverance in the face of adversity
Finding one's voice and standing up for others
Setting
The One and Only Ivan is set in the late 20th century, likely the 1990s, reflecting the era when the real-life Ivan lived in captivity. The story takes place primarily at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, a small shopping center located in an unspecified part of the United States. This confined setting serves as the backdrop for most of the story, emphasizing the limited world in which Ivan and his animal companions exist.
Within the mall, Ivan's “domain”—a glass-walled enclosure that serves as both his home and a public exhibit—is the central location. Other key areas include Stella's elephant enclosure and the mall's video arcade. The stark contrast between the animals' constrained living spaces and the bustling human activity in the mall highlights the theme of captivity versus freedom that runs throughout the story.
In the latter part of the book, the setting expands to include a zoo, representing a more humane and spacious environment for the animals. This shift in location mirrors the characters' journey from confinement to a more natural habitat, reflecting changing attitudes towards animal welfare in the real world. The zoo setting, while still not true freedom, offers a glimpse of a better life for Ivan and his friends.
Characters
Ivan: The protagonist, a silverback gorilla who has lived in captivity at a mall for 27 years. Ivan is an easygoing, artistic gorilla who rarely thinks about his past life in the jungle. He undergoes a transformation when he meets Ruby and begins to see his living situation in a new light. Ivan ultimately uses his art to help secure a better life for himself and his friends.
Ruby: A baby elephant newly arrived at the mall. Ruby's presence catalyzes Ivan's change in perspective and motivates him to take action. Curious, innocent, and trusting, Ruby becomes the focus of Ivan's promise to Stella.
Stella: An elderly elephant and Ivan's close friend. Stella is wise, has a long memory, and dreams of living in a proper zoo. Before her death, she extracts a promise from Ivan to protect Ruby and find her a better home.
Bob: A stray dog who frequents Ivan's domain. Bob is streetwise, sarcastic, and fiercely independent. He becomes a loyal friend to Ivan and Ruby.
Mack: The owner of the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Mack is a complex character who cares for the animals but is also driven by financial concerns, leading to questionable treatment of Ruby.
Julia: The young daughter of the mall custodian. Julia is artistic and compassionate, often visiting Ivan and providing him with art supplies.
George: The mall custodian and Julia's father. George is kindhearted but conflicted about helping the animals due to fear of losing his job.
Thelma: A parrot living in the mall. She is known for her repetitive speech.
Murphy: A white rabbit who performs in the mall's circus acts. His job involves driving a toy fire truck and spraying water at the audience.
Quick facts
The One and Only Ivan is inspired by a real gorilla named Ivan who lived in a mall for 27 years.
The story is narrated from the first-person perspective of Ivan the gorilla.
Katherine Applegate devoted five years to writing the book and visited the real Ivan at Zoo Atlanta as part of her research.
The One and Only Ivan is written in short verse-like chapters.
The One and Only Ivan won the Newbery Medal in 2013.
The One and Only Ivan has been translated into over 30 languages.
A sequel called The One and Only Bob was published in 2020.
The book was adapted into a film released on Disney+ in 2020, featuring the voices of Sam Rockwell as Ivan and Angelina Jolie as Stella.
The audiobook is narrated by actor Adam Grupper.
About the Author
Katherine Applegate (1956-) is an American author of books for young readers. Her best known work is the children’s book The One and Only Ivan, a story about friendship, freedom, and art told from the perspective of a gorilla who lives in a mall. Inspired by a real-life gorilla, the book won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 2013 and was adapted into a Disney film in 2020.
Applegate wrote her first story when she was in the fourth grade. As a grownup, her breakout came with Animorphs, a young adult science fiction series that has sold over 35 million copies globally. She has since written several other popular series, including Remnants, Everworld, and the Roscoe Riley Rules chapter books for younger readers. In addition to her series work, she has won acclaim for her standalone works of middle-grade fiction, including Home of the Brave, Crenshaw, and Wishtree. She has also created picture books and early chapter books. Her works have been translated into dozens of languages and appeared on numerous bestseller lists.
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Applegate has lived in Texas, Florida, Minnesota, Illinois, North Carolina, and Italy. A mother to two grown children, she makes her home in Irvine, California, with her husband and sometimes coauthor, the writer Michael Grant.
